Double-locking switch-stand.



R. J. DAVIDSON.

DOUBLE LOCKING SWITCH STAND.

APPLICATION FILED D2013, 1911.

1,956,888. Patented Mar. 25, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- R. J. DAVIDSON.

DOUBLE LOOKING SWITCH STAND.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.13, 1911.

1,056,888, Patented Mar 25,1@13.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

ROBERT J. DAVIDSON, F HILLBURN, NEW YORK.

DOUBLE-LOCKING SWITCH-STAND.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 25, 1913.

Application filed December 13, 1911. Serial No. 665,498.

- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT J. DAvmsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hillburn, Rockland county, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Double-Locking Switch-Stands, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates particularly to switch stands that are manually operated only as distinguished from switch stands of the automatic type.

The primary object of the invention is to provide means for securing switch points by a double look so that the points cannot become loose through the failure of the mech anism connecting the switch stand to the switch points.

-A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the safety device will be automatically engaged and disengaged by the operation of the switch stand.

' Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the operating handle of the switch stand cannot be lowered or secured in its normal, non-operative position unless the switch is completely thrown.

The various other objects of the invention will be more fully set forth in the following description of an apparatus embodying my invention, which consists in the new and novel features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 represents a plan view of a switch stand embodying my improved double locking mechanism. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the safety member showing the same attached to the switch points and showing the track rails in cross section. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a switch stand embodying my improvements showing the handle in its non-operative position. Fig. 4 is a correspondmg view showing the handle in its operative position. Fig. 5 is a detailed view of a portion of, the switch stand and safety locking device.

The switch stand comprises a base or casing 1, the locking block 2 and the handle 3 operatively connected with the lockin block whereby the spindle 4 may be actuate The spindle is operatively connected with the switch oints 5 by suitable means, as the connecting rod 6. The switch stand is placed at theside of the track adjacent to the switch points and operates the same in the usual manner.

Secured to the switch points preferably at or near the extreme end thereof is a connecting rod 7 which is operatively connected with a preferably curved safety plate 8, which is mounted to slide to and fro in a stationary track or guide 9 secured toor formed integral with a base 10, which may be fastened to the cross ties 11 adjacent to the switch stand or in any other suitable position. The safety plate 8 is preferably secured to the connecting rod 7 by a bolt and eye connection 12, or in any other suitable manner which will permit necessary adj ustment of the safety plate to be made. The connecting rod 7 is also preferably formed in two parts adjustably secured to each other in order to provide for desirable adjustments between the switch points. r

The base 10 provides a bearing for a looking pin 15, which is mounted to reciprocate in a line preferably transverse to the safety through a passage or opening 14 formed in the guide 9. The pin is preferably made integral with a plate 16 movably mounted in a guide 17 formed integral with the base.

In order to reciprocate the locking pin 15, a connecting rod 18 is operatively connected thereto which is also secured to a lever 19 pivoted as at 19 to the base of the switch stand. Said lever is actuated by means of a rod 20 operatively-connected with the looking block so that the locking pin will be retracted when the locking block is in its raised position and permit the switch to be thrown and so that the locking pin will be forced into its advanced or looking position when the locking block is in its normal or looking position.

Preferably, the locking block is provided With an annular flange 21 and the connecting rod 20 is provided with a slotted head 22 engaging with the locking block but permitting independent rotation thereof. A guide stud or collar 23 is secured or formed integral with the base or casing, which forms a bearing for the rod and also prevents disengagement thereof from the flange on th locking block. The safety locking member 8 is provided in the portion thereof which slides in the guide 9 with the perforations 24 of sufficient diameter to permit the passage of the locking pin 15 therethrough. Said perforations are arranged apart a distance corresponding to the normal throw .of the switch points so that one of said openings will register with the opening or passage 14 whenever the switch points are in their operative position. If desired, a shunt box may bearranged adj acent to the safety locking plate and operated by movement of the safety member .therein.

the safety pin, however, and thus release the safety plate and permit the switch to be thrown. In case the switch receives its full throw, one of the perforations in the safety plate will be brought into register with the pin, thus permitting the switch handle and locking block to be lowered into their locked position; but in case the switch does not receive its full throw so that it comes into proper relation with the track rails, neither of the perforations in the safety plate will.

come into register and, consequently the safety pin cannot be operated, which will prevent the switch handle or the. safety block from being lowered into their normal or locked positions. By means of this con struction, a single handle may be utilized to operate both the switch spindle and locking block and also the safety device. At the same time the safety lock is entirely independent, so far as holding the switch points in proper position is concerned, of breakage or injury to the connecting rod which is secured to the switch stand spindle.

The mechanism is extremely compact, comprises comparatively few parts, and permits considerable adjustment of the parts with respect to each other.

Although I have shown one form of mechanism embodying the invention, it is obvious that various changes and modifications within the skill of the mechanic may be made in the details thereof without deoperatively connected with the switch points.

and said locking block, of a safety member secured to and actuated by the switch points, means to lock said safety member in the switchs operative position and members carried by the locking block in operative connection with last mentioned means.

2. In a double locking switch stand, the

combination with a switch stand comprising a handle operatively connected with the switch points and means for locking the handle in its adjusted position, of a safety member independently secured to and actuated by the switch points, and means positively operated through said handle adapted to interlock with said safety member in the switchs operative position and to prevent the locking of said handle when the switch points are in non-operative position with respect to the stock rails.

3. In a double locking switch stand, the combination with a switch stand comprising a stationary part and a manually actuated movable part operatively connected with the "switch points, of a safety device comprising secured to and actuated by the switch points,

means adapted to interlock with said safety member and hold the switch points against movement, and means operatively secured to said flange for actuating said locking means.

5. In a double locking switch stand, the combination with a switch stand comprising a stationary part and a locking block operatively connected with the switch oints, of a safety device comprising a member secured to and reciprocated by the switch points, a locking pin adapted to interlock with the safety member when the switch points are in their operative positions, and means,posi-. tively actuated by the locking block for releasing said safety pin.

6. In a double locking switch stand, the combination with a switch stand comprising a stationary member and a manually 0 erated switch actuating member, of a sa ety device comprising a safety member secured to and reciprocated by the switch points, a

locking member adapted to engage with said safety member and hold same against movement, and means positively operated by and connected with sald switch actuating part to engage and disengage said locking member from the safet member.

7. In a dou le locking switch stand, the combination with a switch stand comprising. a casing, a spindle secured to the switch po1nts,a locking block having vertical movement 011(l3h8' spindle and interlockingwith the casing, and a'handle for releasing said' comprising a safety member secured to and reciprocated by, the switch points and having perforations therethrough, a locking in mounted transversely to the safety mem er and adapted to engage. the perforations provided therein, and means comprising a connecting rod secured to the locking block and adapted to actuate said locking pm when the locking block is moved in a vertical plane.

8.' In a double locking switch 'stand,,the combination with a switch stand comprising a casing, a spindle secured to the switch points, a locking block normally interlocking with the casing and having vertical movement on the spindle and rotatable therewith, and a handle adapted to move said locking block in a vertical plane and rotate the spindle to throw the switch points,

of a safety device comprising asafety member secured to and reciprocatedtby the switch points, and a locking pin adapted to engage with said safety member and hold same and the switch points against movement, and

means for actuating said safety pin comprising a lever pivoted to the casing and a connecting rod secured to said lever and to the safety block whereby the lever is 'actuated when the-safety block is moved in a vertical plane, said connecting rod being provided with a slotted head to permit independent rotation of the safety block, substantially as described.-

9. In a double locking switch stand the combination with a switch stand comprising a spindle operatively secured to the switch points, a locking blocknormally interlocking with the casing to hold the spindle against rotation and having movement in one direction independentlyof the spindle, and means for releasing the locking-block, of a safety device comprising amember secured to the switch oints and moved therewith, a locking mem er adapted to interlock with said safety member, and means for automatically releasing the locking member when the locking block is disengaged from the casing; p K

This specification signed and witnessed this 6th day of December A. D., 1911. r

ROBERT J. DAVIDSON; Witnesses: it i FRED W. SNow,

. JAMES BooRMAN STRONG. 

